Face Forward

CONNECTING THE NEXT GENERATION TO A GREAT CAREER PATH

Face Forward provides customized, intentional support to help at-risk young people who have had minor encounters with the juvenile justice system. Participants receive the education and job training they need to progress toward a great career. Our goal is to help the next generation of workers explore their strengths and abilities by connecting great opportunities and great people.

WHY DOES IT MATTER?Changing a young person’s trajectory in life is critical to breaking the generational cycle of poverty, unemployment and poor life choices. Face Forward serves young adults ages 16-24 in highly distressed areas of Knoxville with high crime, high poverty and high unemployment rates. Mentoring is a proven lever for improved academic and life achievements. Young adults in caring mentoring relationships are:

56% more likely to stay in school and complete homework assignments

46% less likely to start using drugs

52% less likely to skip school

64% more confident in their abilities

55% more likely to enroll in college

Have overall higher levels of self-worth and self-esteem than their peers

Have more positive perceptions about their ability to make friends

Are less likely to be in alternative education programs

Feel more connected to school, community, and family.

HOW DOES IT WORK?Judicial diversion or expungement allows participant’s juvenile record to be cleared; ensuring their future career options are not jeopardized. Then participants go through a series of steps:

WHAT CAN YOU DO?The most impactful element for our participants is the relationships built with our partners – mentors and employers just like you. Mentoring is simply investing in someone else’s life.

You can work one-on-one or within small groups helping multiple participants. Many successful people have mentors that they look to for encouragement and advice. Bill Gates has a mentor… Warren Buffet. Ralph Waldo Emerson was a mentor to Henry David Thoreau. Jack Nicklaus is a mentor to Sergio Garcia. Theodore Roosevelt was a mentor to William Howard Taft. There are many, many more such examples!

If you are interested in mentoring and investing in the life of a young person, contact us.